Baton



Oct. 5, 1948. K H. K.FosTER 2,450,545

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Patented Oct. 5, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFlcE BATON Harry K. Foster, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application September 12, 1946, Serial No. 696,455

9 Claims. `l

My invention is an improvement in the art of batons, more particularly. of the twirling type, in frequent use in connection with a marching band, by the drum major or majorette.

Ordinarily, in such use, the baton is usually of several feet in length, somewhat heavy, and is manipulated by hand and nger twirling, requiring considerable experience and skill.

In my invention, the baton is provided with a laterally extending pin or the like, extending or extensible laterally from the baton, at or about its Such pin may be grasped by the thumb and finger, as a journaling support, and by one or more, additional finger pressure or nipping, may be easily imparted to the baton, for twirling it.

Thus, by means of the construction, it will be obvious that the baton may be given a rotation indefinitely, and without fatigue, by rotating motion of the hand.

An additional ferrule mounting for the pin, and for grasping hold, assists in the twirling movements in either direction, and such features may be also utilized in the construction, providing for erection of the holding and journaling elements, or for closureV within the smooth contour of the baton, as shall be more particularly described.

Referring to the drawings illustrating certain preferred constructions,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a baton provided with a laterally extending holding pin.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the pin and its holding ring or ferrule, detached.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View showing the pin secured transversely through the baton and provided with a journaling ferrule.

Fig. 4 is a sectional portion of the baton, provided with an opening and closing pin and its ferrule, the sectional portion being on the line IV-IV of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line V-V of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional and elevational view of the working portion of the ferrule showing a modied construction, with the holding elements as closed in flush relation to the surface of the baton.

Fig. 7 is a similar view at right angles to Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View on the line VIII--VIII of Fig. '7.

While the baton proper 2, of any suitable construction, oi wood, metal, plastic, etc., is usually round as shown, it may be of other cross section, as polygonal, and with or Without the customary head 3.

In the primitive form, as in Figs. l and 2. a holding pin l may be mounted at or about the approximate center of gravity, as by a ring or ferrule 5. Such mounting, usually on a tapered shaft, may be easily applied with a binding fit, at the proper position, either with or without an intervening wrapping, whereby the pin always retains its initial relation to the baton.

In the construction of Fig. 3, the pin 4a is inserted transversely through the baton, and suitably secured, as by screw threaded terminal 6, firmly in a similar relation and position.

For easy twirling, pin 4a is provided with a freely journaling grasping ferrule 1, suitably retained as by screw head 8 or other terminal abutment. As thus constructed the .errule is easily held by the user for free twirling of the baton.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I show a construction providing for opening and closing of the finger piece by means of a slotted opening 9, at one end of which the pin 4b is hinged by a cross pin or hinge bearing IU. Pin 4b is provided in the same manner with a grasping and journaling ferrule 'l'. The hinging` fit of pin 4b around pin I0 may preferably be sufciently tight so as to hold the pin either outwardly, or inwardly when closed in continuous proper position, with relation to the longitudinal center of the baton.

Figs. 6-8 illustrate a further modified construction in which the pin 4c is similarly mounted at one end of a clearance slot or opening 9. In such construction, in place of the cylindrical ferrule, I provide a grasping piece Il, journaled on the pin 4c, and having an outer covering plate or shield l2.

Such feature as shown, is rounded or otherwise formed to lie flush within the surface contour of l'the baton, of whatever form in cross section, when closed as in Figs. 7 and 8. When erected, as indicated in dotted lines, by insertion of the finger as by clearance I3, piece l I may be readily grasped for twirling, as in the case of the ferrule 1 above described. In both constructions of Figs. 4-8 it Will be observed that pins 4b and 4c close and open lengthwise of the baton. The construction and operation of the device, of either form, will be readily understood from the drawing and description. It greatly assists in manipulation of a baton in the usual manner of imparting to it, the customary twirling movements. 'Ihe device greatly simplies and reduces fatiguein the ordinary manipulation of a normal baton, and largely eliminates and reduces the time necessary to acquire the otherwise necessary practice and resulting skill of the learner.

The device is comparatively simple, composed of few parts, is strong and relatively economical to construct, and is not liable to get out of order. It may be changed or modified as to size, proportions, or other details to adapt it to varying conditions or circumstances of use, by the skilled mechanic or others, within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A baton provided with a straight twirling pin extending at right angles to and in the plane of its longitudinal center.

2. A baton provided with a straight twirling -pin extending at right angles to and in the plane of its longitudinal center and provided with a journaling grasping portion.

3. A baton provided with a straight twirling pin pivoted thereto extending at right angles to and in the plane of its longitudinal center and provided with a journaling grasping ferrule.

4. In combination with a baton, a pin extending therefrom, and a grasping ferrule journaled on the pin,

5. In combination with a baton, a pin having an inner hinge connection with the baton for inward closing and outward erection.

6. In combination with a baton, a pin having an inner hinge connection with the baton for inward closing and outward erection, and provided with a holding ferrule swiveled thereon.

7. In combination with a baton, a pin having an inner hinge connection with the baton for inward closing and outward erection, and provided with a holding linger piece having an outer yportion adapted to conform to the contour of the baton when closed.

8. In combination with a baton having a longitudinal clearance slot, an arm pivoted within the slot, and a finger piece journaled on the arm having an outer slot covering portion.

9. In combination with a baton having a longitudinal clearance slot, an arm pivoted within the slot, and a finger piece journaled on the arm having an outer slot covering portion adapted to lie flush with the baton surface when the nger piece is closed and to be erected at right angles to the baton for use.

HARRY K. FOSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,226,949 Simpson Dec. 31, 1940 2,246,699 Rosen June 24, 1941 

